Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared that those spreading terror are the enemies of peace and development in Balochistan, but the nation and the armed forces stand together to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed these views during his visit on Monday to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Quetta where he inquired about the health of the security personnel injured while fighting against terrorists in Kalat and other districts of Balochistan.
Interacting with the injured and declaring them heroes of the nation, Shehbaz Sharif praised their spirit of sacrifice for the country and their unwavering commitment to protecting the homeland. He said as long as the protection of the nation is entrusted to such brave soldiers, the enemy can never dare to look at Pakistan with an evil eye.
Shehbaz Sharif said the elements spreading terror and chaos in Balochistan are enemies of the province's progress. He said the security forces are working tirelessly to eliminate militants and safeguard the people of Balochistan. The nefarious designs of those who are enemies of peace, development and prosperity in Balochistan will never succeed.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Minister for Energy Awais Leghari also accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Quetta on a day-long visit to review the law and order situation in Balochistan.
On the airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was received by the Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail and Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti.
During his visit, Shehbaz Sharif will meet with security forces personnel who were injured while courageously fighting against terrorists in the recent operation in Kalat.
The prime minister will also meet with the provincial leadership and will get a briefing on the overall law and order situation.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif called upon the political leadership and the nation to stay united in the fight against terrorism and to ensure peace in the country.
Chairing a meeting on the law and order situation in Quetta, he emphasized that this is not the time for division or politics, but for channeling all our energies with sincerity to eliminate terrorism.
Paying glowing tributes to the sacrifices of security personnel in the war against terrorism, the Prime Minister expressed the confidence that Pakistan will become abode of peace.
Referring to his visit to CMH Quetta, the Prime Minister was appreciative of the firm resolve of the security personnel injured while fighting against terrorists in Kalat.
He said the security personnel are rendering their blood and the entire nation pays salutes to their sacrifices and express solidarity with them.
The Prime Minister said terrorists are the enemies of the peace and development of Balochistan. He said the terrorists do not want the people of Balochistan to be prosperous, educated and employed.
The Prime Minister, however, stated in categorical terms that the journey of Balochistan's development would continue. Cowardly acts of miscreants cannot shake the government's resolve for Balochistan's progress.
He said development of Balochistan is a top priority for the government. Efforts are being made to provide quality health and education facilities, as well as employment opportunities in the province.
He mentioned that a special quota was recently allocated for Balochistan's students who were sent to China for advanced training in the agricultural sector.
Through the Youth Program and the Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme, students in Balochistan are being empowered. To promote agriculture in Balochistan, agricultural tube wells have been solarized.
Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work on CPEC, the Prime Minister said flights have already begun at Gwadar Airport which he said will play a key role in making Pakistan a vital link between Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the rest of the world.
Reporter Essa Tareen